Caregiver Burnout-At the End of Your Rope

Approximately 53 Million adults in the U.S. care for a spouse, elderly parent or relative, or special-needs child. If you have found yourself in a caregiving position, either nominated or voluntarily, you most likely had no idea what you were in for. Sometimes it sneaks up slowly. First, the person asks for rides to appointments or the grocery store. Or, they need a ride to their doctor’s appointment.

Invariably their needs escalate, either because of health decline or because you have become a convenient number to call. Now you are in it, committed without being aware of the slippery slope of being ‘that’ person. You could have been unwittingly nominated by proxy. Perhaps you are in the healthcare field and your family encouraged you to take on the role because of your experience. Maybe you are the parent or child of the one in need.

Maybe you have a hard time saying no, and everyone knows how easy it is to take advantage of your kindness. “Kathy will do it!”

Once you are in the position of being the one on call, it is challenging to back out. ‘It would seem unkind’ you think. ‘How hard can it be’, you lament. Eventually, tasks add up, requests increase, and before you know it, you are burned out. Resentment can set in. Where is everyone else you wonder? Why can’t someone else pick up the slack?